The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has postponed the Kisumu County party delegates’ elections that were originally scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026. In a letter to the Chairperson of the ODM National Elections Coordination Committee, party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga cited intelligence reports indicating a highly polarized political environment as the reason for the postponement.
“Following the prevailing polarized environment informed by intelligence, I have made a decision to inform you to cancel the elections slated for tomorrow Friday 6th March 2026. Kindly comply and inform the concerned parties,” the letter read. No new date for the Kisumu delegates’ elections has been announced.
The elections were meant to select national party officials in Kisumu County in preparation for upcoming political activities. The postponement comes amid heightened internal divisions within ODM, which has split along ideological lines.
One faction, the Linda Mwananchi movement led by embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, supports a ‘one term’ narrative and is pushing for the removal of President William Ruto in the 2027 elections. The opposing Linda Ground faction, aligned with Dr. Oburu, backs a broad-based arrangement and is advocating for a coalition with the ruling party.
The two factions also differ on the implementation of the 10-point agenda originally agreed upon by President Ruto and late ODM party leader Raila Odinga. Sifuna has criticised the progress of the agenda, particularly the effectiveness of the implementation committee chaired by Agnes Zani, which is scheduled to release a report on March 7, 2026.
“The committee is now ready with a report which will be given on March 7, among other reports. March 7 also coincides with the signing of the MoU,” Zani told the press on March 4, 2026.
Meanwhile, ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga dismissed concerns about deadlines, stating that the 10-point agenda has no fixed end date, citing ongoing issues in corruption, devolution, and debt management.
Attention now turns to the upcoming Special National Delegates Convention scheduled for March 27, 2026, which is expected to shape ODM’s strategy and internal alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
